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QPR logo
Championship
Sep 12, 2015 at 12.30pm UK
 
Nottingham Forest logo

1-2

Austin (65')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Lansbury (75' pen.), Oliveira (82')

Preview: Queens Park Rangers vs. Nottingham Forest

Sports Mole previews Saturday lunchtime's Championship match as Queens Park Rangers take on Nottingham Forest.

Saturday lunchtime's Championship game on matchday six takes place at Loftus Road as Queens Park Rangers entertain Nottingham Forest.

QPR won three in a row before the recent international break to climb up to fourth, while Forest have just one league win to their name this season.


QPR

Massimo Luongo of Queens Park Rangers in action during the Sky Bet Championship match between Charlton Athletic v Queens Park Rangers at The Valley on August 8, 2015 in London, England© Getty Images

Chris Ramsey's side are the hottest team in the Championship having won more games in a row than anyone else, and they could go top of the table if results go their way this weekend.

It was a slow start to the season for the newly-relegated R's as they went down at Charlton Athletic before throwing away a two-goal lead at home to Cardiff, but since then they have won three on the spin and scored eight goals in the process.

As well as their strong league form, QPR were boosted by the fact that striker Charlie Austin didn't leave during the transfer window for a Premier League club.

The 26-year-old is the Championship's top scorer with four goals in five games and claims to have turned down a move to the top flight to remain in West London.

One of the club's summer signings, Massimo Luongo, has talked up his partnership with Austin and the Australian international has provided an assist in each of his last three appearances for QPR; the first time in his career he has done so three games in a row.

Recent Championship form: LDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WDWWLW


Forest

Dexter Blackstock of Nottingam Forest battles with Patrick Bauer of Charlton Athletic during the Sky Bet Championship match between Nottingham Forest and Charlton Athletic at City Ground on August 18, 2015© Getty Images

QPR look primed for a promotion push and that is how Forest felt at this time last year. Unfortunately, it is not the same for the Tricky Trees this season.

Dougie Freedman's side are 16th in the table and just two points above the bottom three after just one win in the opening month of the season.

They also suffered a big blow on deadline day when West Ham United swooped to sign star winger Michail Antonio. His loss will be huge to a side already suffering with injuries to key players, but Forest have been active in the transfer market since his departure, despite an embargo restricting their dealings.

They can't sign anyone permanently for a fee, but they have brought in four new faces on loan, the last of which was Crystal Palace's young Welsh playmaker Jonathan Williams earlier today.

Forest's only maximum this season was at home to the league's bottom side Rotherham United when they had to come from behind to eke past the Millers 2-1.

That victory was Freedman's charges' only triumph in their last 13 league games since they beat Rotherham last season in March and away from home, the Tricky Trees are winless in eight attempts.

Recent Championship form: LWDDL
Recent form (all competitions): LLWDDL


Team News

Swansea City's Portuguese striker Nelson Oliveira celebrates with teammates after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle and Swansea at St. James' Park stadium in Newcastle, north east England on April 25, 2015© Getty Images

Both managers have new faces available for selection and could make some changes if they have been impressed with what they have seen in training.

R's fans will be delighted that Austin will again lead the line and he should be ably assisted by Matt Phillips and in-form Tjaronn Chery, who has scored three in two games.

Ramsey has brought in two of Watford's key players from last season, defender Gabriele Angella on loan and midfielder Daniel Tozser on a free after he was released and both could make their debuts in two days' time.

For the visitors, Nelson Oliveira, who made 10 Premier League appearances on loan at Swansea City last season, is perhaps the most likely of the new signings to come in and start straight away.

Ryan Mendes from Lille will be viewed as the most direct replacement for Antonio and he too could get the nod on the left wing if Freedman looks to freshen up his side.

QPR possible starting lineup:
Green; Perch, Onuoha, Angella, Konchesky; Faurlin, Luongo, Tozser; Phillips, Austin, Chery

Forest possible starting lineup:
De Vries; Lichaj, Mills, Hobbs, Pinillos; Mancienne, Vaughan; C. Burke, Lansbury, Mendes; Oliveira


Head To Head

In recent meetings, the home team has tended to have the better of matches involving these two. In fact, the away team hasn't won a league match since Forest did 15 matches ago in 1998.

Forest have also lost just one of their last seven games against the Hoops, but that was a heavy 5-2 defeat at Loftus Road in their last meeting in April last year.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:



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We say: QPR 2-0 Forest

Forest have brought in some exciting loan signings, but they might take a while to bed in and QPR will be confident of extending their Championship winning streak to four games.



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